Jestine Angelini, a former All-American player at the University of Connecticut, was named assistant coach for the University of Delaware field hockey program in August, 2012.

Angelini, a native of Boiling Springs, Pa. who earned her degree in sport management from Connecticut in May, 2012, joins head coach Rolf van de Kerkhof on the Blue Hens staff.

“The Blue Hens field hockey family is privileged and very excited in welcoming Jestine to our program,” said van de Kerkhof. “Jestine can say that she has ‘been there and done that’ as a team captain and All-American and as a member of teams that won Big East championships and advanced to the NCAA Final Four. She has a passion for coaching and sharing her playing experiences with our group. She is a young and upcoming coach and Laree (Beans) and myself are looking forward to assisting in her development as a member of our coaching staff and in her contributions to our program.”

As a standout defender, Angelini led UConn to a 19-3 record, the Big East title, and a berth in the NCAA Tournament semifinals during the 2011 season. She earned first team All-American honors by the National Field Hockey Coaches Association and was the 2011 NFHCA Mideast Region Player of the Year. She led the Huskies with 19 assists and 41 total points and was third on the squad with 11 goals. She also was named the Big East Conference Defensive Player of the Year, earned first team All-Big East honors, and was selected to the Big East and NCAA All-Tournament teams.

“I am so thrilled to be a part of the Delaware field hockey family,” said Angelini. “The coaches and players are all working really hard to create something truly special here and I feel so fortunate to be a part of this growth and development. It’s a very exciting time to be a Delaware Blue Hen.”

A three-year starter at UConn, Angelini recorded 25 goals and 35 assists for 85 points during her collegiate career. She earned first team NFHCA All-Mideast Region and first team All-Big East Conference honors in 2010 as a junior when she led the team with 12 assists, was fourth on the squad with four goals and 20 points, and led the team with two defensive saves. Included in her totals were two-goal games against Georgetown and Rutgers.

As a sophomore in 2009, Angelini started all 22 games and was third on the team with 11 goals and 29 points, including a five-point effort vs. Quinn when she netted two goals and had an assist.

After an outstanding high school career as a four-year letterwinner and three-time first team all-conference performer at Boiling Spring High School, Angelini began her collegiate career at Old Dominion in 2008. She made four starts and appeared in 15 games for the Lady Monarchs and earned a spot on the CAA All-Rookie team as a freshman before transferring to UConn.

She also was named to the USA Indoor Field Hockey Team along with her sister, Alicia, in 2009 and was a U.S. Field Hockey Futures Elite player in 2007.